It was a strong start for Manly, but South Sydney quickly took control of the game to get their first win of 2017.
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Final score
Manly Sea Eagles 18
South Sydney Rabbitohs 38
Both the Manly Sea Eagles and the South Sydney Rabbitohs will be searching for their first win of the 2017 season when they face off at Lottoland. Join The Roar from 5:30pm for live scores and commentary.
The Sea Eagles are coming off an eight-point loss to the Parramatta Eels, in a game where an abundance of simple errors cost them the game.
Manly absorbed a lot of pressure near their own goal-line, and will feel that they would have got the win were it not for silly errors.
If they can stay tight in defence and hold on to the ball, they should have a much easier time.
However, the Sea Eagles will face South Sydney with a much weaker squad, as props Marty Taupau and Addin Founa-Blake copped bans for shoulder charges.
The Rabbitohs are having troubles of their own, going down 34-18 to the Wests Tigers in their last match.
Skipper Greg Inglis is out with an ACL injury, causing a restructure in the backline that sees Alex Johnson go into the fullback position.
Despite a rough night, the Rabbitohs had some positives to draw on, with Cody Walker and Robbie Farah putting in workhorse performances.
The good news for both sides is that neither side is coming in full strength. This one will come down to which side can expose the other’s weaknesses. Expect it to be close, no matter which way it goes.
Prediction: Manly by 4
3_Hats SSTID 2014
Roar Rookie
What happened is that George Burgess came on and ran riot. Adam Reynolds showed us all his true value. (Laurie Daley will be an idiot if he doesn't pick him.) Souths have the better Walker, his name is Cody. What a Blitzkrieg performance he put on, he carved them up. Robbie Farah reminded everyone just why he is the NSW Rake! Alex Johnston showed just what he can do when given an opportunity at Fullback. Damien Cook would walk into any clubs Number 9 Jersey. Rep players excluded, Smith etc. Souths recruiters are fantastic: Our youngsters are big, strong and fast. Robert Jennings and Braidon Burns were magnificent Angus Crichton, what can we say... this bloke has Origin written all over him in a few years.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
I feel like someone should photoshop a picture of a Sea Eagle carrying a spoon, a wooden one to be precise.
Mike from tari
Guest
Funny that I was saying the same about Souths in the first 15 minutes
Joe
Roar Rookie
The only thing going for Manly are the Turbo brothers. Outstanding from them but they can't carry the team. I'm not sure what happened after that first 20 but there is a lot of soul searching to do. Regardless of personnel at least the Rabbits played with a game plan. You can see their attack structures and the players get to where they need to be. Manly looked clueless in attack at times and relied on brilliance of individual players and breaks. They really need a lot of work and talk of making the 8 will sure be shelved on the performance of the first two rounds.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
Thank you to everyone who joined The Roar for this live blog, we look forward to seeing you all again soon!
JD St George
Roar Pro
Tom Trbojevic ran 313 metres in this game.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
FULL TIME: Manly Sea Eagles 18 - 28 South Sydney Rabbitohs
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
80' - Mercifully, the siren blows, and the Souths come away with a big win. SEA EAGLES 18 RABBITOHS 38
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
79 ' - Farrah looks like he has crossed the line for another try, but they go the video referee and it shows that there was knock on before he put the ball down. SEA EAGLES 18 RABBITOHS 38
Joe
Roar Rookie
Walker was rubbish today. Definitely worth a look at betting account.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
78' - It was a great start for Manly, but they just imploded. SEA EAGLES 18 RABBITOHS 38
Bob
Guest
No heart, no effort, no pride, pathetic gameplan, pathetic coach, pathetic playing list. Hope manly fans start letting them know their feelings with their feet. I wouldn't be angry at all if we played in front of an empty Brookvale for the rest of the season
Nate
Guest
Best thing about this game is the way Souths bounced back from the poor start. They were lethargic as hell early so really pleased to see the turn around.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
76' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Reynolds makes it a solid six from six. SEA EAGLES 18 RABBITOHS 38
Joe
Roar Rookie
Didn't see this score coming especially after the first 20. Great win by Souths to come back. They played great footy to turn it around.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
74' - TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS Johnston gets the football down off a great kick and South Sydney are ripping Manly to shreds. SEA EAGLES 18 RABBITOHS 36
eagleJack
Roar Guru
I never thought we'd ever get the spoon. But we are a lock in 2017. I was willing to give an outsider a crack in Barrett. But it doesn't look like they are even training. Constantly on their heels defensively. Backline precision reminiscent of schoolboys on the turps. I'd like to see Walker's betting accounts. Something not right there. I'd say the same about Brown but he's just hopeless. Not his fault.
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
71' - CONVERSION SUCCESSFUL Reynolds ensures that he has made yet another kick, to extend the lead by 14. SEA EAGLES 18 RABBITOHS 32
Isaac Nowroozi
Roar Guru
70' - TRY SOUTH SYDNEY RABBITOHS Robbie Farah finishes off the move that saw the Rabbits move the ball nearly 80 metres to get the try. Thats two in quick succession for the Rabbitohs, and now Manly need three tries to come back. Surely this is is over. SEA EAGLES 18 RABBITOHS 30
Tom G
Guest
Manly got Badgered. Pathetic lopsided refereeing again. Barrett's meeting with Archer during the week doesn't look like a winning strategy